Roller ski board

ABSTRACT

A roller ski board similar to an ordinary snow ski board having a board body with bending elasticity and repellent property, and having at least one of single roller at it&#39;s central portion and with or without smaller two twin rollers at it&#39;s front and rear edge portions, pivoted rotatively on an under surface of the board body along it&#39;s longitudinal axis. The all rollers have a lubricity and a wear proof property with repellent elasticity so as to absorb the vibrations and shock added to the board from or to the ground during sliding. The all rollers are arranged such that each external side periphery of the rollers is gradually wider from the central portion to a front and rear edge so that the external side peripheries of each roller does not protrude over the contour curvature of the board body. The all rollers are also arranged consecutively from both the front and rear edges to the central portion such that each running surface of the rollers contacts with an arc curvature slightly curved upwardly over the ground. The single rollers have different diameters and the twin rollers, same diameters, and those are therefore arranged at different ground contact levels so as to reduce frictional resistance during sliding. The vertical sectional surface of each single roller forms a small concave curvature with the contacting ground to achieve edging effects similar to an ordinary snow ski board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an improved grass ski board, and more particularly to an improved roller ski board in which the speed, stemming, sliding and turning is more easily controlled than the known prior grass roller ski board and compares to an ordinary ski board.

BACKGUOUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0002] Customarily, various grass roller ski boards have been proposed for ski-training on snow free ground. However, the moving peculiarities for sliding, turning, braking, etc., are completely different from the ordinary ski board, due to their inherent length and construction which provided multiple rollers or a caterpillar on the bottom surfaces of the boards respectively.

[0003] In view of such shortcomings in the known grass roller ski board, U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,225, U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,781 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,941, have been proposed to simulate the moving peculiarities of the ordinary ski board.

[0004] An improved roller ski board disclosed on those roller ski boards parliculary, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,941 could remarkably improve the moving peculiarities such as for sliding, turning or speed and the feel of such movements, in comparison with the ordinary ski board.

[0005] However, the known roller ski board has not yet been able to achieve the moving peculiarities like the ordinary ski board, due to the large resistance from the many main rotary rollers pivoting rotatively on the under-surface of the board.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0006] The present roller ski board comprises a board body provided with multiple bearing portions on its under-surface and a plurality of single rollers pivoted rotatively on the bearing portions. The board body also is molded on the whole with the rather small size and an approximate same form as the ordinary ski board, from various single and compound materials having a flexible and repulsive elasticity.

[0007] Each single roller comprises a shaft supported firmly on the bearing portion of the roller ski board through a soft material and a single roller body supported rotatively on the shaft with a pair of rotary bearing portions. The pair of rotary bearing portions are molded from an organic material having a lubricative and wearing proof property, as an excellent rotary core material and formed on the whole with the single roller boby of soft synthetic resin material to form the single roller.

[0008] Each single roller is further arranged along a longitudinal axis of the under-surface of the board at the same distance from their respective both internal lateral side edges. Each single roller pivots rotatively at a level lower than the bottom-surface of the board so that both tangential lines along the lateral outer side edges of each of the rollers do not protrude out from both lines along the lateral side edges of the board body. The body width at a central portion decreases gradually from each of the front and rear edges.

[0009] The board body is also formed in a shape of convex curvature slightly curved downwardly from a central portion to the front and rear both edges. Each roller arranged on the under-surface of the board body pivots rotatively at a respective position such that each circumference of the rollers contacts along a concave curvature slightly curved upwardly from a horizontal tangent line on a running surface of the rollers at the central portion of the board to both the front and rear edges.

[0010] On the other side, the board has a plurality of rotative rollers at its central portion consecutive with each pair of rollers at both the front and rear edges, respectively, which are of a smaller diameter than the rollers at the central portion and separated a little from the central rollers. All peripheries of the rollers are of a concave curvature to reduce the resistance of the board and to prevent an over-turn of the user.

[0011] Additionally, the rollers is respectively supported rotatively on their respective shafts which is connected firmly on the bearing portion of the board through a bushing set of a soft material having a flexible and elastic property for absorption of vibrations and prevention of shock destructions to the board.

[0012] Further, the bearing portions of the board may be provided with slender through-holes; the roller bearing portion may also be set into the roller bearings or be provided with external circular holes about them; and the roller bodies may be arranged with many blind-holes or through-holes along their outer circular portions to provide a reduced weight for the board and absorption of the stress on the board or from the ground.

[0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which is almost of the same form and rather small dimension in comparison with an ordinary ski board and resembles closely with the same in operation.

[0014] It is an another object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which is not only light and strong but also easily operative on a snow free area and has an excellent absorption capacity for shock and vibration as in an ordinary ski board due to the materials and construction of the roller ski board.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which provides a plurality of rotative single rollers on its under-surface so that each circumference of the rollers contacts with a concave curvature slightly curved upwardly to the front and rear edges from a central point of a horizontal tangent line on the under circumference of the rollers in the central portion of the board, to provide a decreased resistance between the roller sliding surface and the ground surface.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board with a plurality of rotative single rollers on its under-surface so that the distance of the internal lateral side edges of each roller arranged on a bearing of the board is a constant and each distance of the outer lateral side edges decreases gradually from both the front and rear edges toward the central portion so as to form two tangent lines at the outer lateral side edges of each pair of the rollers accumulated with or within the lateral side lines of the board, for a smooth sliding and easy turning of the board.

[0017] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved grass ski roller board which provides a plurality of rotative single rollers at a central portion on an under-surface of the board consecutively and a respective pair of rollers at the front and rear edges somewhat separated from the central portion for prevention of an overturn of the user.

[0018] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which has rotatively a respective pair of smaller rollers than the central rollers at the front and rear edges, and in which all of the rollers are provided with a various uneven pattern on their running surfaces, such as a radial pattern, to provide an excellent edging effect similar to the ordinary ski board.

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which has on its under-surface a plurality of single rollers wherein their vertical sectional surfaces makes respectively a small concave curvature slightly curved upwardly on the horizontal tangent line to achieve easily lateral inclination of the board to provide an excellent edging and a smooth operation.

[0020] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which has a plurality of single rotative rollers wherein each rollers is supported on each shaft connected firmly with each bearing portion of the board through a respective bushing set of soft material to absorb vibration or the shock to the board.

[0021] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved roller ski board which has on its under-surface a plurality of rotative single rollers wherein each pair of roller sets into a pair of roller bearings to increase the sliding speed of the board.

[0022] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved single roller ski board which has a plurality of rotative roller pairs on its under-surface wherein each pair of rollers has various holes in the roller bodies for reducing weight and providing absorption of all stress to the board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG.1 is an upward perspective view of an improved roller ski board of the present invention;

[0024] FIG.2 is a same upward perspective view of an other improved roller ski board;

[0025] FIG.3 is a further upward perspective view of a further improved roller ski board;

[0026] FIG.4 is a plan view of the improved roller ski board shown in FIG.3;

[0027] FIG.5 is a front view of the improved roller ski board shown in FIG.3;

[0028] FIG.6 is a bottom view of the improved roller ski board shown in FIG.3;

[0029] FIG.7 is an enlarged bottom view of the single rollers in FIG.3 for an explanation of their sliding functions;

[0030] FIG.8 is an enlarged front view of an embodiment of a roller in the present invention;

[0031] FIG.9 is a vertical sectional side view of a single roller of the present invention;

[0032] FIG.10 is a partial sectional side view of an one embodiment of a twin-roller of the present invention; and

[0033] FIG.11 is a partial sectional side view of an other embodiment of the twin roller of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The roller ski board B comprises a board body 1 provided with a plurality of bearing portions 3 which projects down wardly from both sides of the former and a plurality of single rollers S pivoted rotatively on the later. The board body 1 and the bearing portions 3 as shown in FIG. 1 are molded on the whole from a light material such as a synthetic resin, glass fiber and light metal or light compound material such as a plywood, etc. so that they have a flexible and torsional elasticity, as in an ordinary ski board.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, the roller is formed from a rotary wheel portion 7 as a core material, which has respectively a lubricative property, a superior wear proof property, a superior shock proof property and a lower frictional property, with a roller body 11 as a soft roller main portion providing a superior repellent elasticity such as a tyre urethane or rubber material and is provided with outer circular holes h about the rotary wheel portion 7 to reduce weight and increase durability.

[0036] The plurality of the single rollers S on the bearing portions 3 are mounted rotatively on the later at the same distance respectively and at a level lower than a bottom surface 1 b of the board body 1, so that both tangent lines N along the outer side periphery of each roller S does not protrude over the side lines M along the outside edges of the board body, and wherein the width of a central portion 2 decreases gradually from front and rear edges 2 a,2 b to make a more easier smooth sliding, turning, circling, etc., than the known roller ski board which has a reversed configuration as compared to the roller ski board of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0037] The board body 1 is formed in the shape of convex curvature along its lateral axis such that both the front and rear edges 2 a,2 b approaches equally to a horizontal tangent line H of central rollers S from the central portion 2, respectively, and the front edge 2 a is formed the same as in an ordinary ski board which is slightly bent upwardly. The front and rear both edges are also whole curved with convex shape so that the single rollers are surrounded with them to prevent an invasion of the grass and dust, etc., and intersecting each other. All rollers S are arranged on the under-surface 1 b of the board body 1 and respectively pivot rotatively at a respective position such that each circumference of the rollers contacts with a concave curvature,L which is slightly curved upwardly from a horizontal tangent line H on the circumference of the roller S at the central portion 2 of the board 1 to both edges.

[0038] On the other side, all single rollers S are arranged in such a manner that a plurality of larger rollers, for example, three rollers are set consecutively at the central portion 2 and two pairs of small rollers at both the front and rear edges are separated from the central portion 2 so that all the peripheries of the rollers are on the concave curvature L as shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] Accordingly, an added load during sliding is distributed consecutively on a plurality of rollers S in the central portion 2 and the frictional resistance added on all rollers is decreased remarkably, while the small roller pairs on both edges 2 a,2 b, which are respectively raised up and separated a little from the central portion 2, prevents an over-turn of the user when there is movement along the vertical arrows as shown in FIG. 5 and when the balance of the user is disturbed for some reason.

[0040] Additinally, all rollers S also pivot rotatively on the under-surface 1 b of the board body 1 to display the various moving characteristics of the edging effects provided by an inclination of the board body due to their diameters being decreased from the central portion 2 to both front and rear edges 2 a,2 b in order and to various uneven patterns formed on the roller surfaces.

[0041] Further, all rollers which pivot rotatively on the under-surface 1 b of the board 1 are arranged so that a vertical sectional surface of each single rollers S makes a small concave curvature J slightly upwardly as shown respectively by an arrow in FIG. 9, from the horizontal tangent H whereby when the board is subject to an incline laterally there is a remarkable decrease in the frictional resistance of the rollers S on the guound during sliding. Consequently, a smooth operation and excellent stability of the board can be achieved with the sharp edging effect of the outer periphery of the rollers S in the course of sliding.

[0042] A bushing set portion 5 held firmly on a roller shaft portion 4 is connected in a bearing through-hole 3 a for bearing portions 3 on the under-surface 1 b of the board body 1. The bushing set portion 5 is also made of rubber for absorption of vibration or of soft materials, such as polyurethane, etc., thereby providing an elasticity and vibration absorbing capacity to form a flex structure which absorbs shocks, vibrations, etc., which take place in the course of sliding.

[0043] The board body 1, as shown FIG.2, is also molded on the whole from a light material having elastic property, as described hereinbefore, and two single rollers S at its central portion and two twin small roller T at its front and rear end portion, are arranged on its under-surface 1 b.

[0044] The single rollers S is in a same diameter respectively, and arranged in a same distance from the each twin small rollers T and further the all rollers are in the same concave curvature, as mentioned in the roller board 1 in FIG. 1.

[0045] The single rollers S may be one or more roller and be set consecutively at the central portion 2 of the board body 1.

[0046] While, on the under-surface 1 b of the front and rear edge portion of the board body 1, crossed projection 2 c, 2 c for reinforcement of the board body 1, may also be formed to increase its strength and to prevent intersecting each boards, during the sliding.

[0047] The roller ski board B described hereinbefore may be provided with a binding at the central portion 2 of the board surface 1 a and used with a pair of boards with a known ski boot similar to the ordinary ski board; however, a wide single board may also be used for a pair of boards as mono roller ski board.

[0048] Referring now to FIG.9. another embodiment of the roller ski board is illustrated having an additional construction whereby its principle is almost similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0049] A divided bushing set 5, as a soft material which has a flexible and elasticity property, a superior shock proof property such as rubber, synthetic resin, etc; held firmly on a roller shaft portion 6 is connected in a bearing through-hole 3 a for a bearing portion 3 on the under-surface of the board body 1.

[0050] A connecting washer 6 a, such as a screw washer, coupling washer, lock washer, etc., is also effectively used for tightening the roller shaft portion 6 .

[0051] Consequently, the divided bushing set 5 is prevented to slip down from the bearing hole 3 a due to an elastic pinch itself, while the roller shaft portion 6, from the through-hole 3 a of the bearing portion 3 with the divided bushing set 5, due to tightening of the washer 6 a.

[0052] Such parts of the roller may be constituted with respectively so that they can prevent effectively an injury of the bearing hole 3 a and form a flexibility such as absortion of the shock and vibration on the bearing hole 3 a, to improve remarkably a durability and sliding character of the roller board B.

[0053] A rotary wheel portion 7 of the roller S is made of a same material with the board B and rotate with a shaft portion 6 through a rotary core portion 8 which consists in an organic material having a surpeior wear-proof property.

[0054] The rotary core portion 8 can improve remarkably it's rotary speed or durability by replacing it with a bearing shaft portion 9 including various bearing or oilless bearing, etc.

[0055] The rotary wheel portion 7 may have small or large through holes h, semi-circular through hole 7 b, elliptical through hole, rectangular through hole, etc., and also be formed various shape, such as a spoke like wheel or car-wheel etc., so that they have a superior wear proof, a superior shock proof and a superior vibration proof property.

[0056] A tyre portion 11 made of an elastic soft material such as a synthetic rubber or synthetic resin, is connected with the rotary wheel portion 7 through a wheel projection 7 a and it's outer surface may provide with various uneven grooves 12, such as a thrust or radial patern, so that the roller board can achieve a sharp edging effect, during the sliding, by exact catch of the grand surface of the outer periphery of the roller S, according to a condition of the sliding ground surface.

[0057] Further more, the tyre 11 may provide with of lateral blind-holes 13 such as a circular, semi-circular, elliptical or rectangular configuration, at an outer side surface portion, in order to absorb the vibrations and shocks from or to the ground, also.

[0058] Each width of rollers on an under surface 1 b of the board body 1, may different in a central portion, and their each diameter may become smaller in order from the central portion 2 to both the front and rear edges 2 a, 2 b along an arc line L as shown in FIG. 5, so that the frictional resistance arising between the rollers S under both edges and the ground surface proportionally with the difference of the diameter for each roller which is contacting with the ground, during the sliding.

[0059] Accordingly, the board of the present invention can be operated a more easier smooth sliding, turning, circling, as an ordinary ski board.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11 another embodiment of the roller ski board is illustrated having an additional construction whereby its principle is almost similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0061] Under-surface of the board body 1, the small twin roller pairs T on both edges 2 a,2 b, which are respectively raised up and separated a little from the central portion 2, prevent an over-turn of the user and guide the sliding direction.

[0062] All pairs of rollers are arranged on the under-surface of the board body 1 and respectively pivot rotatively at a respective position such that each circumference of the rollers contacts with a concave curvature L which is slightly curved upwardly from a horizontal tangent line H on the circumference of the roller at the central portion 2 of the board 1 to both edges.

[0063] The rotary wheel portion 7 are made of a same material as the board body 1 and also formed into various shapes such as spoke, car-wheel, block tyre, etc.,

[0064] The tyre 11 may be manufactured of a soft material having a elasticity such as rubber, synthetic resin. and its inside is connected with a rotary wheel portion 7 through a wheel projection 7 a.

[0065] Each sliding surface of the tyre may be provided with various uneven patterns 12, for example: a thrust pattern, radial pattern, according to a condition of the sliding ground surfaces. Further an outer lateral periphery portion 11 of the tyre are also arranged at least one or one more circular configuration, semi-circular configuration, elliptical configuratin or rectangular configuration etc. Thus, the roller can permit weight reduction and remarkably absorb vibrations and shocks from or to the ground.

[0066] The rotary wheel portion 7 is rotated with a roller shaft portion 6 held firmly on a bearing hole 3 a of a bearing portion 3.

[0067] A spacer material 10 inserted into between the shaft portion 6 and an inside surface of a rotary wheel hole 8 a, so that bearing and slipping of the shaft portion 6 are prevented exactly to maintain a good rotation, during the sliding, due to an intervention effect of the material to the shaft portion 6.

[0068] The spacer material 10 is also connected firmly with the shaft portion 6 by a lock washer 6 a and more-over the shaft portion 6 is tighted with a lock nut 6 b such that it does not slip down from the bearing hole 3 a.

[0069] A blind hole 4 may be arranged lateraly in the bearing portion 3 of the board body 1, as shown FIG. 12, to absorb vibrations and shocks of the board body 1, due to it's cushion effect, and thus the spacer material 10, the washers 6 a and the lock nut 6 b, with the lateral blind hole 4, hold exactly on the bearing portion 3 the rotary shaft portion 6.

[0070] The rotary portion 8 of the rotary wheel portion 7 may be replaced by a roller bearing portion 9 such as various bearings or an oilless bearing, to increase the speed and reduce the friction.

[0071] Consequently, the roller ski board can be operated smoothly and safely on a non-snow ground expecially on a grass ground as an ordinal ski board on a snow field.

[0072] While there has been described and pointed out the fundamental features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the roller ski board illustrated and many modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0073] The invention, therefore, is limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims; 

I claim:
 1. A roller ski board to be used on a snow free ground surface comprising: at least one of single rotatable roller means and two twin rotatable roller means disposed along a longitudinal axis and on an under-surface of a board body for contacting with the surface, the board having a central portion and longitudinal extent defined by respective side edges extending from a front edge portion to a rear edge portion and a curved contour extending from the front edge portion to the rear edge portion, each of the single roller means and the two twin rotatable roller means having an external side periphery, and as a whole having a periphery which forms a tangential arc of an upward concave curvature with respect to the contacting ground surface and wherein the arc extends between the front edge portion and the rear edge portion and has an orientation substantially opposite; to the curved contour of the board body.
 2. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the board body supports the single roller means by bearing portions, the board body and the bearing portions being formed from a light material, wherein the material is synthetic resin, glass fiber, metal, or plywood, and wherein the material has a desired bending elasticity and the roller means having a core portion formed from a resin material wherein the resin material is hard plastics, semi-hard plastics or soft plastics.
 3. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein each roller means pivots so that a roller surface conforms to an arc curvature slightly curved upwardly over the contacting ground surface from the central portion to the front and rear edge portions.
 4. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein a vertical section through the single roller means has a running contact surface which forms a concave curvature relative to the contacting ground surface.
 5. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein a cross frame constructon portion formed under-surface the board body both the front and rear edges to increase the strength of the board body.
 6. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the rotary wheel portion means having various shapes, such as spoke, car-wheel, block, etc.,
 7. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the roller means has a rotary shaft portion of a first material having a given hardness for supporting a roller bearing and a portion surrounding the rotary shaft portion of a second material having a lesser hardness than the first material.
 8. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein bushing set portion means is connected in a bearing portion of the board for supporting a shaft for the respective roller means, the bushing set portion means comprising a material for absorbing vibrations and shocks.
 9. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein circular holes are disposed in the roller means about an outer surface of a rotary shaft of the roller means.
 10. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the roller means have a plurality of holes.
 11. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the roller means have an uneven peripheral pattern on a roller surface.
 12. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the external periphery of the roller means does not extend laterally beyond the respective side edges of the board body.
 13. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the board body with respect to the ground surface has a convex curvature in the central portion and upward convex curvature at the respective front and rear edge portions.
 14. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the board body gradually widens from the centeal portion to the front edge portion and to rear edgeportion respectively.
 15. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein at least one of single rotatable roller means are disposed consecutively along the longitudinal axis on the under-surface of the board body and twin rotatable roller means is respectively disposed at the front and rear edge portions and spaced from the central portion.
 16. The roller ski board of claim 15 wherein the roller means disposed at the front and rear edge portions are vertically spaced from the ground contacting surface.
 17. The roller ski board of claim 1 wherein the front and rear edge portions have respective roller means on the under-surface of the board body and a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the roller means disposed at the central portion.
 18. The rolle ski board of claim 1 wherein at least one of single rotatable roller means are disposed consecuting along the longitudinal axis on the under surface of the board body, without any twin rotatable roller means. 